Spotlight

Pit bull attacks officer during domestic violence call

Cañon City man taken into custody this morning after threatening himself with a gun and refusing officers' commands to speak with them

By Carie Canterbury

canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:
04/19/2014 02:04:54 PM MDT

A Cañon City man was arrested and a police officer was attacked by a pit bull when responding to a domestic violence call Saturday in Cañon City.

According to a press release issued by the Cañon City Police Department, officers were dispatched at 9:48 a.m. Saturday to a reported domestic violence call in the 600 block of Floral Avenue where a male party was threatening himself with a gun following an argument.

Capt. Jim Cox of the CCPD said when officers arrived, they spoke to the reporting party who was able to get out of the residence. The officers attempted to contact the male party in the residence, but he refused to speak with them. There was no one else in the residence other than two pit bull dogs, Cox said.

(CCPD)

At 10:41 a.m., the male subject opened the front door and a large male pit bull dog charged out and attacked one of the officers, the press release stated. Two officers were forced to fire their weapons at the dog.

The male subject, Mark Valencia, 32, was taken into custody and is being held for possible charges of domestic violence, prohibited use of a weapon, harassment, and other related charges. Valencia was refusing officers' commands and had to be forcibly taken into custody, Cox said. There were no injuries to the officers or the suspect. Valencia is being held at the Fremont County Detention Center on a "no bond" hold.

Cox said officers located a loaded handgun in the house, as well as ammunition for the handgun on the living room floor.

The dog was taken by relatives to a local veterinarian and is now deceased.

Cox said the CCPD wishes to extend its gratitude to the members of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, the Cañon City Fire Department, as well as AMR Ambulance for their assistance in this matter.

"Without their help, this incident may not have gone as well as it did," the release stated.

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